Battle of Villers Bretonneux – 1918

Battle of Villers Bretonneux

April 4-27, 1918 – In an effort to reach the crucial railhead of Amiens, German troops launch two attacks on the village of Villers-Bretonneux, 16 kilometres to the east. With the help of lumbering tanks, they capture the village and open up the route for an advance on Amiens.

On Anzac Day 1918 the Australian 5th Division launches a decisive counter-attack and drives the Germans out of the village. The loss of Villers-Bretonneux spells the end of the German Spring Offensive on the Somme.